The northern Afghan city of Kunduz fell to the Taliban on September 28 when they captured the city in a lightning offensive. Days later, early on the morning of October 3rd, a US AC-130 Spectre gunship attacked the Doctors Without Borders (MSF) Kunduz Trauma Center, burning the main hospital building completely and killing at least 46 patients and MSF staff. The airstrike came amid a confused and weak response from government forces to clear the city of insurgents, and ongoing operations to push them out of adjacent areas moved slowly as well. The takeover was a major victory for the insurgent group, marking the first time they had occupied a major Afghan city since they were driven from power in 2001.